Cyclists should abide by the rules of the road

WITH all the complaints about drivers not giving cyclists enough room, I just had to submit a letter.

While driving past Arrowe Park last night towards Champions in the dark, there was a cyclist who had all the professional gear on but only had one small, dim red light on his bike.

He was wobbling into the road, so I didn't overtake until it was clear on the other side even though it is a wide road.

On driving past, I saw he had headphones on and to my horror was also texting!

When I had to stop at the traffic lights he was still texting and, because he was turning right, he proceeded to cycle between both lanes of traffic then continued into the middle of the T-junction and waited for the lights to change.

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I thought cyclists had to abide to the same laws as motorists?

Name and address supplied.

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Comments (7)

and just down the road from the old champions factory is a POLICE station, where you could have reported your concerns and an action could have been decided on by the Police.. We should all obey the rules of the road, but at least twice a day laws are ignored by most parents or carers of kids as they pick them up from schools around the wirral..

and just down the road from the old champions factory is a POLICE station, where you could have reported your concerns and an action could have been decided on by the Police..
We should all obey the rules of the road, but at least twice a day laws are ignored by most parents or carers of kids as they pick them up from schools around the wirral..steady cyclist

and just down the road from the old champions factory is a POLICE station, where you could have reported your concerns and an action could have been decided on by the Police.. We should all obey the rules of the road, but at least twice a day laws are ignored by most parents or carers of kids as they pick them up from schools around the wirral..

Score: 0

Dantealighieri says...10:51am Thu 29 Nov 12

This is another example of basic common sense we have come to expect from Steady Cyclist. Instead of whinging to the press, this anonymous, yes exactly, anonymous, typically moronic motorists who didn't even have the guts to give a name, who, I bet, breaks every rule of the road even before getting into a car, has the cheek to criticise one of the Planet Saving Green Warriors of God, just because he was listening to music and texting, and wobbling around. How easy do you think it is to text when riding a bike? Another thing is show me in the Highway code anything that states you shouldn't text when riding a bike? Of course if this moron thinks there is some obscure petty rule against it he could have taken the cyclist's registration number, and reported him to the nearby police station, and they could have sent a patrol car out to look for him, or visited him at home later. Perhaps the driver didn't know there was a police station nearby, but now it's a POLICE station there can be no excuse.

This is another example of basic common sense we have come to expect from Steady Cyclist. Instead of whinging to the press, this anonymous, yes exactly, anonymous, typically moronic motorists who didn't even have the guts to give a name, who, I bet, breaks every rule of the road even before getting into a car, has the cheek to criticise one of the Planet Saving Green Warriors of God, just because he was listening to music and texting, and wobbling around. How easy do you think it is to text when riding a bike? Another thing is show me in the Highway code anything that states you shouldn't text when riding a bike? Of course if this moron thinks there is some obscure petty rule against it he could have taken the cyclist's registration number, and reported him to the nearby police station, and they could have sent a patrol car out to look for him, or visited him at home later. Perhaps the driver didn't know there was a police station nearby, but now it's a POLICE station there can be no excuse.Dantealighieri

This is another example of basic common sense we have come to expect from Steady Cyclist. Instead of whinging to the press, this anonymous, yes exactly, anonymous, typically moronic motorists who didn't even have the guts to give a name, who, I bet, breaks every rule of the road even before getting into a car, has the cheek to criticise one of the Planet Saving Green Warriors of God, just because he was listening to music and texting, and wobbling around. How easy do you think it is to text when riding a bike? Another thing is show me in the Highway code anything that states you shouldn't text when riding a bike? Of course if this moron thinks there is some obscure petty rule against it he could have taken the cyclist's registration number, and reported him to the nearby police station, and they could have sent a patrol car out to look for him, or visited him at home later. Perhaps the driver didn't know there was a police station nearby, but now it's a POLICE station there can be no excuse.

Score: 0

No.9 says...1:34pm Thu 29 Nov 12

Just be thankful you saw him and didn't knock him off his bike, and get on with your life.

Just be thankful you saw him and didn't knock him off his bike, and get on with your life.No.9

Just be thankful you saw him and didn't knock him off his bike, and get on with your life.

Score: 0

Spiffy says...2:11pm Thu 29 Nov 12

Dantealighieri wrote…

This is another example of basic common sense we have come to expect from Steady Cyclist. Instead of whinging to the press, this anonymous, yes exactly, anonymous, typically moronic motorists who didn't even have the guts to give a name, who, I bet, breaks every rule of the road even before getting into a car, has the cheek to criticise one of the Planet Saving Green Warriors of God, just because he was listening to music and texting, and wobbling around. How easy do you think it is to text when riding a bike? Another thing is show me in the Highway code anything that states you shouldn't text when riding a bike? Of course if this moron thinks there is some obscure petty rule against it he could have taken the cyclist's registration number, and reported him to the nearby police station, and they could have sent a patrol car out to look for him, or visited him at home later. Perhaps the driver didn't know there was a police station nearby, but now it's a POLICE station there can be no excuse.

Dante you don't arf make me laugh and make a very good point. Texting while riding a bike ? Well, it just shouldn't oughta be allowed and if all else fails they could always go and snitch to their mum. ... That said, in jest of course, I'd have no sympathy whatsoever if this moron had been knocked off his bike. They were pretty much begging for it.

[quote][p][bold]Dantealighieri [/bold] wrote:
This is another example of basic common sense we have come to expect from Steady Cyclist. Instead of whinging to the press, this anonymous, yes exactly, anonymous, typically moronic motorists who didn't even have the guts to give a name, who, I bet, breaks every rule of the road even before getting into a car, has the cheek to criticise one of the Planet Saving Green Warriors of God, just because he was listening to music and texting, and wobbling around. How easy do you think it is to text when riding a bike? Another thing is show me in the Highway code anything that states you shouldn't text when riding a bike? Of course if this moron thinks there is some obscure petty rule against it he could have taken the cyclist's registration number, and reported him to the nearby police station, and they could have sent a patrol car out to look for him, or visited him at home later. Perhaps the driver didn't know there was a police station nearby, but now it's a POLICE station there can be no excuse.[/p][/quote]Dante you don't arf make me laugh and make a very good point. Texting while riding a bike ? Well, it just shouldn't oughta be allowed and if all else fails they could always go and snitch to their mum.
...
That said, in jest of course, I'd have no sympathy whatsoever if this moron had been knocked off his bike. They were pretty much begging for it.Spiffy

Dantealighieri wrote…

This is another example of basic common sense we have come to expect from Steady Cyclist. Instead of whinging to the press, this anonymous, yes exactly, anonymous, typically moronic motorists who didn't even have the guts to give a name, who, I bet, breaks every rule of the road even before getting into a car, has the cheek to criticise one of the Planet Saving Green Warriors of God, just because he was listening to music and texting, and wobbling around. How easy do you think it is to text when riding a bike? Another thing is show me in the Highway code anything that states you shouldn't text when riding a bike? Of course if this moron thinks there is some obscure petty rule against it he could have taken the cyclist's registration number, and reported him to the nearby police station, and they could have sent a patrol car out to look for him, or visited him at home later. Perhaps the driver didn't know there was a police station nearby, but now it's a POLICE station there can be no excuse.

Dante you don't arf make me laugh and make a very good point. Texting while riding a bike ? Well, it just shouldn't oughta be allowed and if all else fails they could always go and snitch to their mum. ... That said, in jest of course, I'd have no sympathy whatsoever if this moron had been knocked off his bike. They were pretty much begging for it.

Score: 0

don't look back in anger says...12:50pm Fri 30 Nov 12

Iwas almost knocked off my bike by a police van after I was trying to turn right on a main road. As i pulled to the centre of the road, the police van sped up to close the gap i had, because he was getting fed up sitting in heavy traffic. I decided to give him a piece of my mind and Iwas then threatened with arrest because he said he didn't see me because he was watching traffic. I explained to him that I was traffic and I had clearly signaled to turn right. He went on to tell that that as a cyclist I wouldn't have a clue about road sense. I then explained to him that I was also a motorist that also likes to cycle and so I knew all about the highway code. The more answers I had, the more annoyed he became untill his collegue stepped in and calmed the situation. As i rode on, this idiot decided to follow alongside me for about 500 yards just gazing at me instead of concentrating on the road ahead. What chance have cyclists got when even the police treat them with contempt.

Iwas almost knocked off my bike by a police van after I was trying to turn right on a main road. As i pulled to the centre of the road, the police van sped up to close the gap i had, because he was getting fed up sitting in heavy traffic. I decided to give him a piece of my mind and Iwas then threatened with arrest because he said he didn't see me because he was watching traffic. I explained to him that I was traffic and I had clearly signaled to turn right. He went on to tell that that as a cyclist I wouldn't have a clue about road sense. I then explained to him that I was also a motorist that also likes to cycle and so I knew all about the highway code. The more answers I had, the more annoyed he became untill his collegue stepped in and calmed the situation. As i rode on, this idiot decided to follow alongside me for about 500 yards just gazing at me instead of concentrating on the road ahead. What chance have cyclists got when even the police treat them with contempt.don't look back in anger

Iwas almost knocked off my bike by a police van after I was trying to turn right on a main road. As i pulled to the centre of the road, the police van sped up to close the gap i had, because he was getting fed up sitting in heavy traffic. I decided to give him a piece of my mind and Iwas then threatened with arrest because he said he didn't see me because he was watching traffic. I explained to him that I was traffic and I had clearly signaled to turn right. He went on to tell that that as a cyclist I wouldn't have a clue about road sense. I then explained to him that I was also a motorist that also likes to cycle and so I knew all about the highway code. The more answers I had, the more annoyed he became untill his collegue stepped in and calmed the situation. As i rode on, this idiot decided to follow alongside me for about 500 yards just gazing at me instead of concentrating on the road ahead. What chance have cyclists got when even the police treat them with contempt.

Score: 0

Lovelo Bicycles says...4:53pm Sat 1 Dec 12

Cyclists do not automatically have to obey the same laws as drivers. In the situation you describe the cyclist may well not have broken any laws. He was using a rear light, you say it was dim, only a police officer could decide if it was sufficient or not. Wearing headphones is not illegal they usually allow in sufficient sound to hear vehicles and in any case deaf people are allowed to cycle and drivers can hear almost nothing, particularly if they have the radio on. Cyclists are allowed to filter between lines of stationary traffic and even using a mobile phone is permitted. He could have been riding without due care and attention, but again that would be for a police officer to decide.

Cyclists do not automatically have to obey the same laws as drivers. In the situation you describe the cyclist may well not have broken any laws. He was using a rear light, you say it was dim, only a police officer could decide if it was sufficient or not. Wearing headphones is not illegal they usually allow in sufficient sound to hear vehicles and in any case deaf people are allowed to cycle and drivers can hear almost nothing, particularly if they have the radio on. Cyclists are allowed to filter between lines of stationary traffic and even using a mobile phone is permitted.
He could have been riding without due care and attention, but again that would be for a police officer to decide.Lovelo Bicycles

Cyclists do not automatically have to obey the same laws as drivers. In the situation you describe the cyclist may well not have broken any laws. He was using a rear light, you say it was dim, only a police officer could decide if it was sufficient or not. Wearing headphones is not illegal they usually allow in sufficient sound to hear vehicles and in any case deaf people are allowed to cycle and drivers can hear almost nothing, particularly if they have the radio on. Cyclists are allowed to filter between lines of stationary traffic and even using a mobile phone is permitted. He could have been riding without due care and attention, but again that would be for a police officer to decide.

Score: 0

fenix uk says...5:48pm Thu 6 Dec 12

Cyclists should have to obey the rules of the road. I would think that cycling and texting would definitely break one rule or another. As to the other points you made - he did have a back light - and although it was dim - you did see it. Personally when I cycle I like mine to be pretty bright. Wearing headphones aren't against the law - it might not be that sensible - but who's to say he was listening to anything and maybe not using them as ear muffs or a hands free device for his phone ? If he was in a car that would be fine. He sounds stupid for texting whilst riding - but thats about all. Unlike the van who overtook me at the weekend and deliberately swerved in as he came past to within inches of my bars. This was on a quiet road - no oncoming traffic and no reason for him to do that. My view is that there are stupid people out there and some of them ride bikes and some of them drive cars. Well done on your responsible overtaking - if only all motorists were that sensible.

Cyclists should have to obey the rules of the road. I would think that cycling and texting would definitely break one rule or another.
As to the other points you made - he did have a back light - and although it was dim - you did see it. Personally when I cycle I like mine to be pretty bright.
Wearing headphones aren't against the law - it might not be that sensible - but who's to say he was listening to anything and maybe not using them as ear muffs or a hands free device for his phone ? If he was in a car that would be fine.
He sounds stupid for texting whilst riding - but thats about all.
Unlike the van who overtook me at the weekend and deliberately swerved in as he came past to within inches of my bars. This was on a quiet road - no oncoming traffic and no reason for him to do that.
My view is that there are stupid people out there and some of them ride bikes and some of them drive cars.
Well done on your responsible overtaking - if only all motorists were that sensible.fenix uk

Cyclists should have to obey the rules of the road. I would think that cycling and texting would definitely break one rule or another. As to the other points you made - he did have a back light - and although it was dim - you did see it. Personally when I cycle I like mine to be pretty bright. Wearing headphones aren't against the law - it might not be that sensible - but who's to say he was listening to anything and maybe not using them as ear muffs or a hands free device for his phone ? If he was in a car that would be fine. He sounds stupid for texting whilst riding - but thats about all. Unlike the van who overtook me at the weekend and deliberately swerved in as he came past to within inches of my bars. This was on a quiet road - no oncoming traffic and no reason for him to do that. My view is that there are stupid people out there and some of them ride bikes and some of them drive cars. Well done on your responsible overtaking - if only all motorists were that sensible.

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